Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Andy Gill

Home
Progressive Christian
Calling Out Worship Music Snobbery…

Calling Out Worship Music Snobbery…

Last updated on: January 5, 2018 at 10:26 am by Andy Gill

Calling Out Worship Music Snobbery… 2018-01-05T10:26:18-05:00 Andy Gill

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Worship snobbery, it far too many times leaves the “non-educated” Music lovers feeling nothing but shame and guilt; of course, depending on its delivery, sometimes even drives fear… Hearing this message enough, it can even go so far as not just making innocent bystanders believe that their feeling emotionally connected to God is somehow in the wrong but, making them think this music is the problem – i.e. shallow, untrue, or sinful (The big word worship leaders have previously used is “hedonistic” – again, I wouldn’t even know what this word was, if it weren’t for worship leaders and pastors condemning us for being this). hedonistic definition andy gill

In a roundabout way, this form of snobbery comes across as “classist.” Similar to those “grammar Nazis” that make fun of people on Twitter, FB, or in comment sections (**cough cough**), etc. simply for not knowing the difference between “there and their.”

You see, there’s this ignorant lack of consideration, or understanding, that maybe some were not afforded the same quality of education as themselves. And, maybe they grew up in the same school as yourself but didn’t have the same privilege to study and read for hours; because, (again, just maybe) they were too busy providing for their burdened single-mother who’s working three jobs and still can’t afford to make rent, let alone put food on the table (a good book on this is “How Children Succeed” by Paul Tough).

Furthermore, some of us, come to Sunday exhausted, weak, beat up, and weary… these forms of emotionality offer us a healthy, however temporary, form of liberation; they offer us hope; they offer us energy; they refill our tanks just enough so that we can go back into the next week and continue “tent making”; despite how little we make and how much we’re under appreciated.

Theologically I’m progressive; EMOTIONALLY speaking, I’m still pentecostal. #justsayin

— andy gill (@itsandygill) September 20, 2016

Are congregants not allowed to feel good? If a congregant does enjoy worship does this make them hedonistic?

The last thing we want is to feel shame for liking Hillsong.

Lastly, it’s just outright judgemental… the fact of the matter is, we don’t know where someone is at in life; even those we might see every day. Just as I don’t understand the persistent focus on “hedonistic worship,” however subtle or blatant it might be; clearly, neither does this particular worship leader, or snob, understand where these supposed hedonists are coming from. Calling them hedonists is disgusting in and of itself.

On the brighter side of things, for us self-proclaimed intellects, can we not find pleasure in some of the most simplistic forms of nature?

Some of the most simplistically basic things are the best f&%$ing creations God has gifted this world and our very lives with.

Steak, seasoned with just a pinch of salt & pepper.
Symmetry. Literally, just organized “-ish” parallel to one another.
Anyone of earth’s basic elements.. If you’re laughing and scoffing, then you haven’t experienced a warm summers night gazing out at a lakefront; listening to the sound of the water, or watching the moon’s light reflecting off of that -ish.
Similarly, on top of all of this simplistically amazing -ish, there’s the four infamous chords, popularized by Chris Tomlin himself: G, E, D, & C.

It begs the question: how high can one’s “intelligent quotient” actually be if one cannot find wonder within simplicity?

Pulpit Bullying…

I’ve never felt confident enough to articulate all of this but…

Go back Continue Reading

Christian

Church

Dating

Calling Out Worship Music Snobbery...

hedonistic

Previous Post

December 29, 2017

7 Reasons Why I Choose to Continue Identifying as an Evangelical

Next Post

January 8, 2018 The Struggle of Calling People Into Spaces that Don't Welcome the Marginalized

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Book Reviews Books Buzzfeed Christian Church Church Culture Dating Dechurched eXvangelical Guest Post Humor Inspirational Justice LGBTQ Life Marriage Media Millennials Mini Post Monday Money Podcast Politics Race Reason Relationships Science Sex Socioeconomic Theology Theology Uncategorized Video Wednesday Youth Ministry

Select a Month June 2020 March 2020 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 January 2013 December 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What was the primary legal document in Biblical times?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Land deed Contract Tablet Scroll

Support this
Column